Spain - basic information. Interesting facts about spain Spain biography

Gazpacho, Prado Museum or Sagrada Familia. But those Interesting Facts about Spain, which are given in the article, even experienced travelers may not know.

country and people

• According to one version, the name of the country (España) goes back to the word Hispania, which in Phoenician meant "land of rabbits".
• Throughout history, the territory Spain inhabited by different ethnic groups, including Iberians, Celts, Phoenicians, Greeks, Romans, Visigoths and Arabs.
• Euskera, spoken in the Basque Country, is one of the oldest languages ​​in the world.
• The Spanish Empire was one of the strongest in the world.
• Spain ceded Gibraltar to Great Britain in 1713.
• An interesting fact about Spain and its history: in two world wars, the country remained neutral.

• Spanish is the third most spoken language in the world, with approximately 400 million speakers.
• Football is considered the national sport. Spain won their first World Cup victory in 2010.
• Match between football clubs"Real Madrid" and "Barcelona" is the main sporting event and can almost completely paralyze the country.
• An interesting fact about the people of Spain is that the country ranks first in the world in organ donation.
• Same-sex marriage has been legal in the country since July 3, 2005.
• In Spain, there are about 8 thousand kilometers of beaches.

• One of the interesting facts about the country is that 44 places in Spain are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Approximately 11.2 liters of alcohol are drunk annually in the country, which is almost twice the average. Spain is the third country in the world (and the first in Europe) in drinking gin and the first in Europe in cocaine consumption. However, this is one of European countries with lower suicide rates. However, it is not at all necessary that these interesting facts about Spain have a connection with each other.
• Javier Bardem became the first Spanish actor to win an Oscar for his role in No Country for Old Men.
• Amancio Ortega, founder of Inditex (brands Zara, Pull & Bear, Massimo Dutti, Bershka, Stradivarius, Zara Home), is the richest person in Spain and the second richest person in the world (as of 2016) after Bill Gates. Ortega earns about 2.5 million euros a day.

Cities and provinces

• An interesting fact about the country can be considered the belief that Madrid is the geographical center of the country, and the Puerta del Sol in the capital is the exact center of Madrid or even the entire Iberian Peninsula. However, in fact, this opinion is refuted by new data.
• In 1978, the back façade of the Prado Museum was thought to be the center of Madrid. Now such is considered to be the intersection of Goya and Serrano streets.

• Regarding the center of the entire Iberian Peninsula, the Puerta del Sol area was considered as such in the 18th century, at present it has “moved” to the town of Cerro de los Ángeles, about 10 kilometers south of Madrid. Now there is a 14th-century chapel Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles and a monument Sagrado Corazón, built in 1919.
• What can be said with accuracy is that in the Puerta del Sol there is a slab of Kilometro Cero, or Km. 0 ("zero kilometer"), the point from which all roads were to be measured. It appeared in the 18th century during the reign of Philip V, after six main roads were built that crossed the entire peninsula.
• Another interesting fact about Spain: the metro in Madrid is considered the second longest in Europe and the sixth in the world. Its duration is 141 miles, and this number continues to grow.

• The University of Salamanca, founded in 1218, is the oldest in the country.
• Barcelona is the most visited city in Spain with about 15 million tourists a year.
• Cadiz is considered the oldest city in Spain and in Europe, it was inhabited by the Phoenicians.
• La Boquería (Mercado de Sant Josep), located in Barcelona, ​​is considered the largest market in Catalonia.
• The most visited attraction in the capital of Catalonia is the Sagrada Familia (Sagrada Familia), the construction has been going on for over 200 years and is still not finished.

Gastronomy

• Spain is the second country in the world in terms of the number of bars per person. The only country that beats it in this indicator is Cyprus.
• In many bars, customers are offered free tapas with a drink, usually olives, nuts and dried fruits, or anchovies marinated in vinegar and olive oil (boquerones en vinagre).
• Spaniards usually have lunch at 2-3 pm and dinner between 9 and 10 pm.
• An interesting fact about the country from the field of gastronomy: tomatoes, potatoes, avocados, tobacco and cocoa were imported to Europe through Spain.
• After France and Italy, the kingdom is the third largest wine producer in the world and the first country in the world in terms of vineyard area.
• Although Spain is more famous in the world for red wine than white, most wineries produce white.

Spain is a country in southwestern Europe with amazing nature, temperamental inhabitants and beautiful sea. It, like a bright mosaic, consists of small regions that are very different from each other. Each town attracts with unusual traditions, incendiary rhythms or the refreshing taste of fragrant sangria. Few countries can boast such diversity and national color. Spain can! It hospitably opens up to tourists, promising a truly interesting vacation.

Geography

More than 85% of the Iberian Peninsula belongs to Spain, on the map it has a rectangular shape. Most of the surface is occupied by hills and plateaus. From the center to the north and west stretch the Cordillera and the Pyrenees. highest point Spain is the Mulansen peak (3478 m). There are also less high ones, but picturesque mountains. Picturesque passes are broken through the mountain ranges and two railway lines pass.

In the southeast lies the largest Andalusian lowland. In the northeastern part, you can see the Aragonese plain, which comes close to the Ebro Delta. Several large rivers flow in the country, but most of the territory needs artificial irrigation. Due to the lack of moisture, several million tons of fertile land are annually blown out.

Spain boasts a long coastline. It is washed by the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. In total, there are about 2,000 beaches and recreational areas in coastal areas.

Climate

Spain boasts sunny weather, with 280 sunny days a year. Seasonal temperature fluctuations are quite high. In winter, in the center of the country, the air cools down to sub-zero temperatures, while the climate is milder near the coast. Summers are hot, in the south the air temperature can exceed +40 °C, but in the north it is only +25 °C.

because of mountainous terrain within the country there are isolated climatic zones. In addition to the temperature difference, the amount of precipitation also differs. The northwest is characterized by more rainy and windy weather. The level of precipitation here reaches 2000 mm. The rest of the territory is protected from bad weather mountain ranges. For example, in the center of the country, only 500 mm of precipitation falls annually. The south is characterized by milder temperatures, and there is also little rainfall.

Nature

The nature of Spain is very rich. There are about 8,000 plant species found here, most of which are endemic. The densest thickets are in the north Atlantic coast. There are beech, ash, oak, chestnut and linden thickets. Higher in the mountains, water meadows predominate, and the lowlands are covered with evergreen shrubs.

Deer, wild boars and roe deer live in the thicket of the northern Spanish forests, and at the foot of the Cantabrian mountains it was possible to meet brown bears. To the south live foxes, lynxes, wolves and even macaques. Waterfowl live near the reservoirs: ducks, flamingos, storks and geese.

The drier regions are characterized by herbaceous vegetation of the steppe type, and on south coast you can see stunted palm trees. Only Spain of all European countries can boast of wild palm thickets. They are full of lizards, snakes and other reptiles. Always warm waters abound with sardines, herring, cod, anchovies, as well as crayfish and lobsters.

Population

The population of Spain is approaching 40 million people. Most of the inhabitants are indigenous settlers and are divided along ethnic lines into Catalans, Basques, Galicians and others. Representatives of different groups practically do not mix with each other. Most of residents (98%) profess Catholicism and are quite devout.

Once in Spain, you need to be aware of some behavioral features so as not to be at a dead end:

• Residents of the southern regions are characterized by great emotionality during a conversation. They actively gesticulate and raise their voice, but this does not indicate aggression.
• Punctuality is not a hallmark of Spaniards. Being late up to half an hour is considered the norm.
• The midday siesta is mandatory for most establishments. The only exceptions are tourist centers.

Kitchen

The cult of food in Spain has become widespread. There are a lot of large restaurants and smaller establishments on the streets. Portions are very large, it is rational to order one dish for two. Be sure to try local wines from grapes grown under the Spanish bright sun.

Tapas bars are especially popular. Small establishments where communication comes first, and only then food. All kinds of snacks are served in small flatbreads (tapas).

The most common Spanish dishes are as follows:

• gazpacho - cold vegetable soup with slices of bread and aromatic herbs;
• paella - rice with vegetables, meat, seafood and wine;
• jamon - dried boar meat;
• skewers of sea scallops;
• chicken stewed in wine;
• turrón is a nougat dessert with nuts, chocolate and puffed rice.

Arriving in Spain, you should say goodbye to diets in advance and submit to fragrant dishes. Hearty seafood delicacies richly flavored with spices and olive oil will amaze anyone.

The national drink is sangria. At first, many note its specific taste, but gradually this refreshing drink becomes one of their favorites. It is prepared from young red wine and fruit. The drink is served chilled or with ice cubes.

Attractions

The central part of Spain is famous for its large number of interesting places. History was favorable to these lands and most of the sights are well preserved to this day. Those who are limited in time should go to the capital. This is the location of most of the museums and religious buildings. Definitely worth a visit:

• the Prado Museum;
• National Ethnographic Museum;
• National Museum of Applied Arts;
• Reina Sofia Center for the Arts;
• Plaza of Spain;
• the monasteries of Descalzas Reales and El Espiral;
• Royal Palace.

Separate areas of Spain are distinguished by their unusual color, so each of them deserves attention. Tourists especially appreciate the creations of Gaudi in Barcelona, ​​the Cathedral in Valencia, the Moorish fortress in Granada and a host of other natural and man-made monuments.

Entertainment

The country of the bright sun and hot men is not a pearl, but a whole pearl scattering. In its open spaces everyone will find entertainment to their taste. Of course, it is worth spending at least a few days on the beautiful coasts, where the blue of the sea merges with the same shade of the sky. Picturesque rocks and mountains covered with greenery effectively complement the landscapes.

The beautiful beaches of Spain are very diverse. There are rocky coasts covered with pebbles or snow-white sandy shores, but there are places with black volcanic sand. All beaches are free with free entry. The most popular resorts in the Mediterranean:

• Costa del Maresme;
• Costa Dorada;
• Costa Blanca;
• Costa Brava.

To take a break from the scorching sun, you can go to ski resort. Just an hour from the coast, on the Sierra Nevada mountain, there are equipped slopes of any complexity. In the Pyrenees, on the border with France, there are other resorts. Nearby are located National parks with thermal springs.

How to get there?

In order not to spend a short vacation on the road, it is worth stopping at the air service. Spain receives direct flights from various parts of the world. Most planes land in Madrid. Domestic air transportation operates within the country.

Before traveling, you should apply for a Schengen visa. It will allow you to get acquainted with the beauties of Spain and neighboring countries without any hassle.

The heart of youth tourism - Balearic Islands, especially Menorca, Mallorca and Ibiza, famous for nightlife. Cultural and eco-tourism is developed in the interior regions of the country. But the basis of the hospitality industry is beach resorts: the Catalan Costa del Maresme, and the Costa de Valencia in the autonomous community of Valencia, the Andalusian resorts of the Costa de la Luz, Costa Tropical, Costa de Almeria,.

Many tourists are attracted by annual festivals, a significant part of which is dedicated to local saints, folklore and traditions. Encierro in Pamplona, ​​Seville Fair, Romeria de El Rocio, Tomatina in Bunyol, Fallas in Valencia, carnivals in Cadiz and the Canary Islands are especially popular; music festivals Primavera Sound, Sonar, Festimad and Festival International de Benicassim; film festivals Mostra de Valencia, Sitges Festival, Valladolid International Film Festival.

Economy, employment

Spain has a traditionally high unemployment rate, especially among youth. According to statistics, in times of economic crisis, one in five Spaniards does not work anywhere.

The vast majority of the population is employed in the service sector. Historically, Spain is an agricultural country, but relatively few people are involved in this area these days.

Winemaking is very well developed (pictured left). Here is the world-famous region - the country of wine and vineyards.

The cultivation of citrus fruits, vegetable growing, animal husbandry and fishery are developed. Spain is almost a quarter of the world's production of olives and olive oil - the most popular among tourists. Thanks to the variety of food products, it is so rich in dishes for every taste, and Spain itself has firmly established itself in the list. best countries for gastronomic tourism. In many ways, the famous and magnificent contribute to this.

Inhabitants of Spain

In ancient times, the Iberian Peninsula was inhabited mainly by Iberians, who later mixed with the Celts and assimilated by the Romans. The resulting Ibero-Roman community was successively diluted by the Germans and Arabs with the Berbers, several nationalities were formed. We talked about this in detail in the article "". The indigenous inhabitants of Spain: Spaniards (Castilians), Basques, Catalans and Galicians make up the vast majority of the country's population.

Spaniards profess predominantly Catholicism (about 75%). The second and third places are occupied by Islam (over a million) and Orthodoxy (about 900 thousand people). Orthodox - mostly people from of Eastern Europe. Almost every tenth inhabitant of Spain is an immigrant or a descendant of immigrants.

Spain is the most detailed information about the country with a photo. Attractions, cities of Spain, climate, geography, population and culture.

Spain

Spain is a state in Southwestern Europe. This is one of largest countries European Union, located on the Iberian Peninsula and occupying more than 2/3 of its territory. Spain borders Portugal to the west, France and Andorra to the north, Gibraltar and Morocco to the south. The state consists of 17 autonomous communities and 2 autonomous cities and is a constitutional monarchy.

Spain is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The country is famous for its beaches and sea, cuisine and nightlife, special atmosphere and friendliness. local residents. Interestingly, by the number of objects world heritage UNESCO Spain is second only to Italy and China. In addition, it is a country with great geographical and cultural diversity. Here you can find almost everything: from lush meadows and snowy mountains to swamps and deserts.

Useful information about Spain

1. The population is 46.7 million people.
2. The area is 505,370 square kilometers.
3. The official language is Spanish (in some autonomous communities official language also considered a local dialect).
4. Currency - euro.
5. Visa - Schengen.
6. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
7. Spain is in the top 30 developed countries peace.
8. In Spain, during the daytime, some shops and establishments may be closed (siesta). Some restaurants and cafes do not serve dinner before 8-9 pm.
9. Tips are included in the bill. If you liked the food or service, you can set aside 5-10% of the bill.

Geography and nature

Spain occupies 80% of the territory of the Iberian Peninsula. It also includes the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and a very tiny part of the North African coast. The Iberian Peninsula is located in the extreme southwest of Europe.

The relief of Spain is extremely diverse. Mountains and plateaus play the main role in it. The country is one of the most mountainous in Europe. The largest mountain systems: Pyrenees, Cordillera Baetica, Iberian, Catalan and Cantabrian mountains. The largest plain is the Andalusian lowland, located in the south. In the northeast is the Aragonese plain. The highest peak in continental Spain is Mount Mulasen (3478 and). The most high peak The country is located on the island of Tenerife - this is the Teide volcano (3718 m).

River Tahoe

Major rivers: Guadalquivir, Tajo, Duero, Ebro. Spain is known for its long coastline. There are several thousand beaches along the coast. The largest resorts: Costa del Sol, Costa de la Luz, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Costa Dorada, Canary and Balearic Islands.

Thanks to geographical features very diverse animal vegetable world Spain. The north of the country is similar to Central Europe, and the south resembles North Africa. Broad-leaved forests are found in the northwest, deserts and semi-deserts in the south, and Mediterranean flora is characteristic of the coast.

Climate

Spain is one of the warmest, even hottest countries in Europe. Although due to the relief here you can find several climatic zones. The Mediterranean climate prevails, which is maritime on the coast, and arid in the central part. In most regions of the country, summers are dry and hot, winters are quite warm and humid. In the central regions, frosts are not uncommon in cold weather.

Best time to visit

Best time to visit Spain - April-May and September-October. July and August are very hot in most areas. During the cold season it can be quite rainy.

Story

In the third millennium BC, the Tartess civilization existed on the territory of the modern Iberian Peninsula. But already in the second millennium BC. Iberian tribes came here, who later mixed with the Celts. In ancient times, the Pyrenees were called Iberia. The Iberians quickly settled in the territory of Castile and built fortified settlements. Around the same millennium, Phoenician and Greek colonies were founded on the coast.

Interestingly, according to the most common theory, the name of the country comes from the Phoenician "i-spanim", which translates as "shore of darmans". The Romans used this word to refer to the territory of the entire peninsula.

In the 3rd century, almost the entire territory of the Iberian Peninsula was subjugated by Carthage. In 206, Carthage lost control of the Pyrenees. From this period, for almost two centuries, the Romans tried to subdue these lands. The last free tribes were conquered by Rome in 19 BC under Emperor Augustus. Spain was one of the most prosperous and important Roman provinces. The Romans built expensive fortresses here. By the end of the 1st century, more than 300 cities were founded here, trade and crafts flourished.

In the 4th-5th century, Germanic tribes penetrated the territory of Spain, which were soon completely replaced by the Visigoths. Even earlier, the first Christians appeared here. The Visigoths established their kingdom here with its capital in Barcelona and then in Toledo. In the 6th century, the emperor of Byzantium, Justinian, tried to return Spain to the rule of the empire.

In 711, Arabs and Berbers from North Africa came to the territory of the Iberian Peninsula, who were later called the Moors. Interestingly, they were called to help by the Visigoths themselves (or rather, one of their factions). In just a few years, the Moors conquered almost all of the Pyrenees and formed the Umayyad caliphate. It should be noted that the Arabs were quite merciful, preserving the property of the people, the language and religion of the conquered territories.

Around the same time, the Reconquista movement arose, the goal of which was the liberation of the Iberian Peninsula from the Muslims. In 718, the Moors were stopped in the mountains of Asturias. By 914, the Kingdom of Asturias included the territories of Galicia and Northern Portugal. After the end of the Umayyad dynasty in 1031, the caliphate collapsed. At the end of the 11th century, Christians captured Toledo and some other cities. In the 12th century, the Spanish Empire was proclaimed, which arose after the unification of Castile and Aragon and existed until 1157. In the future, despite the division, the kingdoms fought together with the Moors. By the 13th century, only the emirate of Granada remained on the Iberian Peninsula.

Despite the power of the Castilian kingdom, the country was tormented by unrest and unrest. Dominance belonged to knightly orders and powerful nobles. In Aragon, on the contrary, there were many concessions to the estates. In 1469, a dynastic marriage between Ferdinand of Aragon and Isabella of Castile contributed to the unification of the two kingdoms. In 1478, the Inquisition was established, which served as an impetus for the persecution of Muslims and Jews. In 1492, the conquest of Granada and the end of the Reconquista took place.

In 1519 the Habsburg dynasty came to power. In the 16th century, Spain became one of the strongest powers in Europe. The absolute monarchy was established as a form of government. The Spanish kingdom captured Portugal and numerous colonies in South and Central America. Already by the middle of the 16th century, constant wars and high taxes led to economic decline. During this period, the capital of the kingdom was moved from Toledo to Madrid.

At the beginning of the 18th century, with the death of Charles II, the War of the "Spanish Succession" broke out. As a result, the Bourbon dynasty reigned, and Spain became "pro-French". In 1808, a popular uprising broke out, which led to the abdication of the king. Subsequently, the French were expelled from the country and the restoration of the Bourbons took place. In the 19th century, Spain was tormented by unrest and unrest. The state lost all American colonies. In 1931, the monarchy was overthrown and a civil war began, in which Franco won. Francisco Franco established a dictatorship that lasted until 1975. This year was crowned Juan Carlos I of the Spanish Bourbon dynasty.

Spain consists of 17 autonomous regions, two so-called autonomous cities and 50 provinces.

Autonomous communities:

• Andalusia
• Aragon
• Asturias
• Balearic Islands
• Basque Country
• Valencia
• Galicia
• Canary Islands
• Cantabria
• Castile - La Mancha
• Castile and Leon
• Catalonia
• Murcia
• Navarre
• Rioja
• Extremadura

Population

The indigenous population of the country is the Spaniards (Castilians), Catalans, Basques, Galicians, etc. The official language is Spanish. In autonomies, the ethnic language or dialect is often spoken. Almost 80% of the population professes Christianity, of which 75% are Catholics. Interestingly, the average life expectancy in Spain is one of the highest in the world. She is 83 years old. The Spaniards themselves are quite friendly, open and emotional. These are noisy and temperamental people. They are often unpunctual, a little lazy and irresponsible.

Tips for communicating with Spaniards:

• Spaniards are very patriotic towards their country or autonomy. You should not raise such topics: "is Catalonia Spain" and so on.
• The vast majority of the population are Catholics, so words and actions that can offend the feelings of believers should be avoided.
• Avoid talking about the colonial past and the Franco regime.
• During lunch or dinner, the Spaniards do not start eating until all the guests have sat down. They also don't leave until everyone has finished eating.
• Close people or good friends hug or kiss each other on the cheeks when they meet. Otherwise, they are limited to a handshake.

Transport

Information about modes of transport in Spain.

Major airports:

• Barcelona
• Palma de Mallorca
• Malaga - Costa del Sol
• Gran Canaria
• Alicante / Elche

Spain has an extensive network high speed trains that connect the major cities. Rail service also includes trains long distance and network suburban trains. There are regular bus services between many cities. Largest cities connected by highways. Motorways are tolled here.

Speed ​​limits:

• 120 km/h on freeways and motorways,
• 100 km/h on normal roads,
• 90 km/h on other roads,
• 50 km/h when driving in populated areas.

The blood alcohol level must not exceed 0.5 g/l. The driver and all passengers must wear seat belts.

Spain is the second country in Europe in terms of the number of visits cruise liners. Main ports of Spain:

• Barcelona
• Palma de Mallorca
• Las Palmas
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife
• Malaga
• Bilbao

Spain cities

Spain has hundreds of old and interesting city. But the most popular are:

• - a noisy and vibrant capital that will amaze you with modernist architecture, wide streets and squares, museums and vibrant nightlife.
• Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain and the capital of Catalonia. Famous sights, masterpieces of modernist architecture and art nouveau Gaudí are concentrated here.
• Bilbao is a large industrial city.
• Cadiz - considered the oldest city Western Europe.
• Granada is a stunning city in the south, surrounded by the snow-capped mountains of the Sierra Nevada.
• Cordoba is an ancient city with a rich Moorish heritage.
• Toledo - ancient capital with sights of different periods.
• Seville is the capital of Andalusia and one of the most beautiful cities Spain.
• Valencia is one of largest cities countries. The place where paella was invented.
• Alicante - the resort capital east coast and the Costa Blanca region.

In the south of Spain in Andalusia, you can find a lot of evidence of antiquity. Cadiz is located here - one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Western Europe with the remains of a Roman settlement. Nearby is Ronda - beautiful city located on steep cliffs. The cities of Cordoba and Granada have preserved a rich Moorish heritage. Seville, the cultural center of Andalusia and all of southern Spain, has a dazzling collection of attractions and the largest gothic cathedral in the world.

Crossing the north through the plains of La Mancha into Central Spain, it is worth visiting picturesque Toledo. This ancient Spanish capital and the most beautiful ancient city located on a hill. Not far from the Portuguese border is Merida with an impressive Roman heritage. If you are interested in relaxation and beaches, then you should go to Alicante, Malaga, the Canary and Balearic Islands.

Popular tourist destinations:

• Costa Blanca - 200 km of coastline, beaches and charming seaside towns.
• Costa Brava is a coastline with many seaside resorts.
• Costa del Sol is a sunny beach in the south of Spain.
• Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands, famous for its clubs and discos.
• Mallorca is the largest of the Balearic Islands.
• Sierra Nevada - the highest mountain range of the Iberian Peninsula with ski slopes.
• Tenerife - lush nature, volcanoes and great beaches.

Attractions

Historically, Spain has been an important crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, North Africa and Europe. As such, fantastic collections of unique attractions can be found here. The country impresses with the number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, historical and cultural monuments.

The most famous sights of Spain

• Old city of Toledo.
• Historic center of Salamanca.
• Burgos Cathedral in the city of the same name.
• Moorish heritage of Granada and Cordoba.
• Architectural masterpieces of Gaudí in Barcelona.
• Gothic cathedral in Seville and architecture in the Mudéjar style.
• Rock paintings in Altamira cave
• The historical centers of the cities of Cuenca, Merida, Cáceres, Zaragoza, Avila and Segovia.
• Romanesque churches in Lleida.
• Ancient Roman walls in the town of Lugo.

Notable festivals:

• Feria de Abril is the best fair in the Pyrenees. If you love folklore, flamenco and wine, then you will definitely like this event. It takes place in April-May.
• Fallas is a festival in Valencia.
• Dia de Sant Jordi is a Catalan holiday.

Accommodation

Spain - extremely popular tourist destination, so housing must be sought in advance. When traveling here in the high season, accommodation will cost more. Many cities, even small ones, are tourism oriented. Therefore, it is not a problem to find accommodation for any groups of tourists and financial possibilities.

Kitchen

Spaniards love to eat, drink wine and are very proud of their cuisine. Spanish cuisine can be described as fairly light, with lots of vegetables and a huge variety of meats and fish. Interestingly, traditional cuisine does not use a lot of spices, but relies entirely on the use of high quality ingredients and their taste. Spaniards' meals are slightly different from ours. Their breakfast is light. Lunch is served at 13.00-15.00. Lunch is followed by a siesta. Dinner is late.

Traditional food and products: paella, jamon, tapas, Chorizo ​​(spicy sausage), Bocadillo de Calamares (fried squid), Boquerones en vinagre (anchovies with garlic), Churros (Spanish donuts), Empanadas Gallegas (meat pies), Fabada asturiana (stew), various varieties of gazpacho (soups), Tortilla de patatas (egg omelet with fried potatoes). The main alcoholic drink is wine, which is very popular here. good quality. The most popular soft drink is coffee.

Flamenco music and dancing, bullfights, lots of sun and fantastic beaches… In fact, Spain has much more to offer tourists. Spain has been a cultural center Europe. This country has kept a large number of monuments of the times of the Celts, Goths, Romans and Moors. The Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Mesquite Cathedral in Cordoba and the Royal Palace in Madrid will be no less interesting to tourists than the beaches of the Costa del Sol or, for example, the Costa Dorada.

Geography of Spain

Spain is located on the famous Iberian Peninsula, in the south of Europe. In the west, Spain borders on Portugal, in the south - on Gibraltar (owned by Great Britain), in the north - on France and Andorra. AT North Africa Spain borders on Morocco (their common border is 13 km). In the south and east, Spain is bordered by the Mediterranean Sea, and in the west and northwest by the Atlantic Ocean.

Spain includes the small Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean, dog islands” (as the Canary Islands were once called) in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa, as well as two semi-autonomous cities - Ceuta and Melilla in North Africa.

The total area of ​​Spain is 505,992 sq. km, including the islands, and the total length of the state border is 1,917 km.

Mainland Spain is a mountainous country dominated by plateaus and mountain ranges. The main mountain systems in Spain are the Pyrenees, the Cordilleras, the Cantabrian Mountains, the Catalan Mountains, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. The highest peak in Spain dormant volcano Teide on the island of Tenerife (3718 m).

Capital of Spain

The capital of Spain is Madrid, which is now home to more than 3.3 million people. Madrid was founded by the Moors in the middle of the 10th century.

Official language

Spain is a multilingual country. Throughout Spain, the official language is Spanish (aka Castilian).

Other official languages:

• Basque language - common in the Basque Country and in Navarre;
• Catalan - common in Catalonia, as well as in Valencia and the Balearic Mountains;
• Galician - in Galicia.

Religion

About 96% of the population of Spain are Catholics belonging to the Roman Catholic Church. However, only 14% of Spaniards go to church every week (or more often).

In addition, about 1.2 million Protestants and more than 1 million Muslims now live in Spain (a lot of people from Morocco and Algeria).

State structure

Spain is a constitutional monarchy in which the head of state, according to the Constitution, is the King.

The source of legislative power is the Cortes Generales, consisting of the Congress of Deputies (350 people are elected to it) and the Senate (258 people).

Main political parties in Spain - the right-wing "People's Party", "Spanish Socialist Labor Party" and "Communist Party of Spain".

Spain consists of 17 communities (regions) and 2 autonomous cities (Ceuta and Melilla).

Climate and weather

In general, the climate of Spain can be divided into three main climatic zones:

• Mediterranean climate, which is characterized by hot summers and rather cold winters (central and north-central Spain);
• semi-arid climate (southeastern Spain, especially in Murcia and the Ebro Valley);
• maritime climate (in northern Spain, especially in Asturias, the Basque Country, Cantabria, and partly in Galicia).

The Pyrenees and the Sierra Nevada have an alpine climate, while the Canary Islands have a subtropical climate.

Spain in January average temperature air is 0C, and in July - + 33C.

Seas and oceans

The Mediterranean Sea in the south and east washes the shores of Spain, and in the west and north-west of the country is the Atlantic Ocean. In the north of Spain is the great Bay of Biscay.

Average sea temperature in Spain in May:

• Costa Dorado - +17C
• Costa Brava - +17C
• Costa Calida - +17C
• Almeria - +18С
• Costa del Sol - +17С
• Costa Blanca - +17С

Average sea temperature in Spain in August:

• Costa Dorado - +25С
• Costa Brava - +25С
• Costa Calida - +25С
• Almeria - +24С
• Costa del Sol - +23С
• Costa Blanca - +25С

Rivers and lakes

Despite the fact that Spain is a mountainous country, a large number of rivers flow through its territory. Most big rivers in Spain, Tajo (1,007 km), Ebro (910 km), Duero (895 km), Guadiana (657 km) and Guadalquivir (578 km).

According to scientists, there are several hundred lakes in Spain, and more than 440 of them are mountain lakes. The largest lake in Spain is Sanabria, whose area is more than 11 thousand square meters. km.

History of Spain

The ancient Greeks called the indigenous inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula (the territory modern Spain) Iberians. Iberian tribes, according to archaeological finds, came to the Iberian Peninsula from the eastern Mediterranean during the Neolithic.

Around 1200 B.C. Celts appeared in the Pyrenees, who began to mix with the Iberian tribes. Then the Phoenicians founded several of their cities in the Pyrenees - Gadir (Cadiz), Malaka (Malaga) and Abdera (Adra). Then south of Spain along the coast mediterranean sea The ancient Greeks built their colonies.

During the Punic Wars between Rome and Carthage, Roman legionnaires invaded Spain and conquered most of it. Then Spain fell completely under the rule of Ancient Rome.

In 409 AD The Goths invaded the Iberian Peninsula and established their kingdom there. However, in 711 AD. The kingdom of the Visigoths fell under the blows of the Moors from Africa. In the end, the Moors managed to conquer almost all of Spain. In the 10th century, Andalusia established its own Muslim Caliphate.

However, Christians are trying to return the Spanish lands occupied by the Moors. This period in Spanish history is known as the Reconquista.

The very same kingdom of Spain was formed in 1469 (the wedding of Isabella of Castile and Ferdinand of Aragon took place this year), but only in 1492 the last Arab emir fled from the territory of Spain (this happened after the fall of Granada).

After Christopher Columbus discovered America in 1492, Spain received tons of silver and gold from there, thus becoming one of the most influential and powerful countries of that time.

In 1808, the troops of Napoleon Bonaparte invaded Spain, but the Spaniards put up stubborn resistance to them. After the defeat of Napoleon in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo, King Ferdinand IV was restored to the Spanish throne.

because of economic crisis and political instability in the 19th century, Spain lost almost all of its colonies. In 1895, after the war with the United States, Cuba, the last colony of Spain, was lost.

From 1936 to 1939 in Spain continued Civil War, the winner of which came out the nationalists, led by Franco. During the Second World War, which began in 1939, Spain remained neutral, although it sympathized with Germany.

Franco died in 1975 and a constitutional monarchy was established in Spain.

Spain joined NATO in 1985 and joined the European Union in 1992.

Culture of Spain

Spanish culture was greatly influenced by the ancient Greeks, as well as the ancient Romans. Until now, a large number of ancient Roman monuments have been preserved in Spain. After the Moors conquered Spain in the early 700s, the Arabs began to exert a decisive influence on Spanish culture. In general, the entire Middle Ages in Spain is a confrontation between Arab and Christian cultures.

It so happened that the Spaniards most notably showed themselves in literature and in painting, although, of course, in Spain there were talented architects, philosophers, doctors and philosophers.

The most famous Spanish writers and poets are Lope de Vega (life - 1562-1635), Francisco Quevedo y Villegas (1580-1645), Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (life - 1547-1616), Baltasar Gracian (1601-1658 ), Benito Galdos (1843-1920), and Camilo José Sela (life - 1916-2002).

The most famous Spanish painters are El Greco (life - 1541-1614), Francisco de Herrera (life - 1576-1656), Jusepe de Ribera (life - 1591-1652), Diego Velazquez (life - 1599-1660) , Alonso Cano (life - 1601-1667), Francisco Goya (life - 1746-1828), and Salvador Dali (life - 1904-1989).

For many of us, Spain is flamenco and bullfighting, which has a long tradition.

The dance and song "flamenco" appeared in the Middle Ages in Andalusia. The emergence of this dance and musical style is associated with the gypsies, but since the end of the 18th century, flamenco has become a traditional Spanish dance.

Now every two years in the Spanish Seville, an international flamenco festival called Bienal de Flamenco is held. This festival gathers thousands of participants and visitors.

Another famous Spanish tradition is bullfighting, bullfighting, which was started by the Iberian tribes who lived in the Pyrenees around 3000 centuries BC. BC. At first, the killing of a bull was of a ritual nature, but over time, it became a real art. Since the middle of the 18th century, bullfighting has already existed in many Spanish cities.

Now in some Spanish cities there are bull races - "encierro". During these races, the bulls try to catch up with the people running through the streets. Sometimes the bulls succeed. The most famous encierros are in Pamplona.

Kitchen

Spanish cuisine is characterized by a wide variety of dishes. This is understandable, because in every region of Spain they carefully preserve not only their cultural, but also culinary traditions. In general, the cuisine of Spain can be attributed to the Mediterranean cuisine. Two characteristic elements of Spanish cuisine are olive oil and garlic.

AT Mediterranean Spain(from Catalonia to Andalusia) seafood is often used for cooking. Cold soups (eg gazpacho) and rice dishes (eg paella) are traditional here.

Inland Spain is characterized by thick hot soups and stews. Ham and various cheeses are popular here.

For north coast Spain (Atlantic Ocean), including the Basque Country, Asturias and Galicia, are characterized by dishes with meat, fish and vegetables.

• Cochinillo Asado (roast pig);
• Gambas Ajiillo (fried shrimp with garlic and chili);
• Paella (rice dish);
• Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician octopus);
• Jamon Iberico & Chorizo ​​(Iberian ham and spicy sausages);
• Pescado Frito (this is any fried fish);
• Patatas Bravas (these are fried potatoes cooked in a spicy sauce);
• Tortilla Espanola (Spanish omelet);
• Queso Manchego (Spanish sheep cheese);
• Gazpacho (This is a traditional cold tomato soup).

Sunny Spain is unimaginable without wine. The traditions of winemaking on the Iberian Peninsula were laid down by the ancient Greeks, who founded their colonies there. Spain now produces a wide variety of wines.

In our opinion, the Top 5 best red wines in Spain include:

• Wine Lopez de Heredia
• Bernya (Alicante)
• Vinyes josep - Sola Classic (Priorat)
• Tempranillo - Baron fernand (Valdepeñas)
• Divus - Bodegas Bleda (Jumilla)

Top 5 best white wines in Spain:

1. Xarlel-lo - Clar de Castanyer (Penedés)
2. Amalia - Rubicon (Lanzarote)
3. Wine Mas Plantadera Blanco Roble - Celler Sabate (Priorat)
4. Malvasia semidulce - Bermejo (Lanzarote)
5. el copero (Utiel-Requena)

Sights of Spain

Perhaps Spain does not take the 1st place in terms of the number of attractions, but it is undeniable that tourists have something to see in this ancient country. The top ten attractions in Spain, in our opinion, include the following:

Cities and resorts in Spain

The largest Spanish cities are Madrid, Barcelona (1.7 million people), Valencia (850 thousand people), Seville (720 thousand people), Zaragoza (more than 610 thousand people), and Malaga (about 550 thousand people).

General coastline Spain is about 5 thousand kilometers. This means that in Spain there are a large number of beautiful beaches with clean water. Despite the fact that for some reason most tourists choose the Costa Blanca and the sunny Costa del Sol, Spain has beautiful beaches in other resorts.

Top 10 Spanish beaches, in our opinion:

• La Concha Beach - San Sebastian
• Playa de Las Catedrales - Galicia
• Playa del Silencio - Asturias
• Ses Illetes - located on the island of Formentera, Balearic Islands
• Beaches of Sitges - near Barcelona
• Nerja - Costa del Sol, Andalusia
• La Barrosa - This beach is located in Chiclana de la Frontera
• Tarifa - Andalusia
• Gandia - Costa Blanca
• Playa de los Peligros - Santander

When talking about beach resorts Spain, they immediately remember the Costa del Sol, the Canary Islands, and island of Ibiza. But in Spain there is still the Costa Brava, the island of Tenerife, island of Mallorca, Costa Dorada, Balearic Islands, Costa Blanca, Costa del Maresme, and Costa de la Luz.

Souvenirs/Shopping

Returning from Spain, tourists may simply not pick up their suitcases, as there may be so many souvenirs in them. Therefore, we advise tourists who have visited Spain to stop at the following best Spanish souvenirs:

• Olive oil, which is the best in the world (the opinion of Italians and Greeks on this matter does not count);
• "Bota" - a bag for storing wine made of leather (such a bag costs about 30 euros);
• Saffron and other spices;
• Funny T-shirts from Kukuxumusu;
• Spanish ham;
• Flamenco CDs;
• Spanish wine;
• Souvenirs of the Spanish national football team;
• Melee weapons from Toledo.

Office Hours

Banks work:
Mon-Fri: 08:30-14.00
Some banks are also open on Saturdays.

Store opening hours:
Mon-Fri: from 09:00 to 13.30 (or 14:00) and from 16:30 (or from 17:00) to 20:00.
Every Saturday, Spanish shops are open until noon.
Large supermarkets are open all day.

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